Page 10 of Deadly Storms (Sunrise Lake #3)
Shabina had hoped she wouldn’t have to discuss their tragedy, but clearly, they were trying to understand.
“We don’t want to make the same mistakes,” Felicity said. “We don’t have Emilio and Freda’s hiking experience. We’re going on trails that are on the maps, and we do ask others, but it doesn’t make sense that Freda got so far off trail if it was closed to hikers.”
“Maintaining trails is difficult in the wild,” Shabina explained as gently as she could.
“Crews are hired, but it requires money and it’s a lot of work.
Not all trails can be rehabilitated right away or kept up.
The main trails are first priority. The trees were compromised by some change in the underground water.
I don’t honestly remember what happened off the top of my head, but in that area the trees and all the brush died.
A fire swept through the area not long after that.
The trail was closed as soon as it happened.
There were clear signs put up warning the trail was closed.
As time went by, the trail became overgrown. ”
“Where were the signs?” Felicity pursued.
Shabina sighed again. “We do have an abundance of wild animals in Yosemite. Bears like to scratch on some of the signs. Weather plays a part as well. It isn’t entirely impossible that a bear managed to break the sign apart and no one noticed.
A park ranger or Fish and Wildlife might go that way every few months.
If that trail wasn’t scheduled for rehabilitation, no crew would have gone there to see the closed signs were down.
Anyone getting off trail would be in trouble.
Without a canopy and that intense heat wave bouncing off the rock, the temperatures would be unrelenting. ”
The women looked defeated. “There just seems so much to learn,” Felicity said. “If experienced hikers can get into trouble, I don’t see how we can learn all this.”
“You’re trying to go too fast. Right now, stay on the main hiking trails.
It’s my busiest time right now, but eventually things will slow down.
If you’ve still decided you want to stay, I can show you some of my favorite trails and give you a few tips.
Again, there are much more experienced backpackers than me, but if you start out slow and end up really loving it, I’m sure you’ll meet others who love it and are willing to help you out as well. ”
Both women brightened. “That’s so generous of you to offer, Shabina. We’re also considering learning to boulder since Knightly is so famous for it. Do you climb?”
“Sadly, I could be the worst climber in this café. I do try though. I have friends who are very good climbers. They boulder and trad climb. Stella would be the one to ask if anyone is taking out a group. She could arrange something for you.”
Again, the twins exchanged a long look. “We should have thought to ask her,” Felicity said. “She seems to know so much about both Knightly and Yosemite.”
“She likes to keep her clients happy,” Shabina said.
“Shabina, whatever kind of name that is,” Bale called out from across the café. “I want to talk to you about this food you served us.”
“Are you trying to get the attention of Beanie Baby?” Sean asked in an overloud voice. “She’s talking to her lesbo friends. You know she prefers women. Can’t take manly men. They scare her.”
Raine and Vienna both looked up quickly from their table. A sudden hush fell over the café. Vaughn stepped out from behind the counter. Shabina held up her hand to him and shook her head.
“Are they talking about us?” Felicity asked.
Shabina smiled at her as she stood. “I believe so. You have to ignore the riffraff. All kinds come in and I try my best to be welcoming. We do have security cameras on them, and if they get out of hand, we’ll make a complaint to the sheriff.
They think if a woman turns them down for a date or any kind of sexual activity, she must be a lesbian.
Not that that should matter. By chance, did either of them proposition you?
They’re so manly their egos can’t take rejection. ”
Although she spoke in a sweet tone, the café was silent enough that the amusement could be heard.
Felicity nodded. “Last year, when they found my sister, her daughter, and her husband dead, and there was an investigation. We went to the Grill one night, and Bale and his friends wanted to have a night of fun with twins. We thought it was a bit inappropriate when we’d just lost our family members but thought perhaps they weren’t aware. ”
Shabina turned back to face Bale and Sean, all trace of amusement gone from her features.
“They knew; they’re on the Search and Rescue team.
Bale, after that revelation, I don’t feel like dealing with your crap this morning.
Your waiter can talk to you about your bill, but if you ate the food, you’re paying for it. ”
Bale’s features twisted into a malevolent, hate-filled mask. She refused to be intimidated, although a chill went down her spine. Maybe she needed to rethink what Bale was capable of. She turned back to the twins, dismissing him.
“I hope I see you both again very soon.”
“We’re heading to Yosemite today, but we’re taking your bird tour on Tuesday. After we do some more exploring, we plan on looking around Knightly for a few days, so we’ll be in every morning for breakfast,” Eve assured.
Bale cursed loudly. She heard him stomping as he and Edward left the café.
She was a little shocked he hadn’t put up more of a fight and that Edward hadn’t backed him up.
Sean had been the one to aid in the harassment.
It bothered her that Bale hadn’t said even more than he had.
She would have to watch her back. Enemies seemed to be stacking up.
“That was pleasant. I assure you, most people here are wonderful. I really have to make my rounds, but will see you later.”
The women gave her a quick assurance they would be back to the café and see her Tuesday for the bird-watching tour. Shabina moved on to the next three tables, talking to the customers to ensure they enjoyed their meal. She made her way to Raine and Vienna.
“You really need to ban Bale and his followers,” Raine said bluntly. “His behavior is escalating.”
Shabina pulled a chair from one of the tables a server was cleaning and sat down. “If I banned him, he would only get worse. He’s that type.”
“He is getting worse,” Raine insisted.
“Remember how bad he was with Zahra? He was mean and spiteful to her all the time. He never stopped saying nasty things and trying to intimidate her. But she just rode it out, and now he’s given up. I’m his current target, but he’ll get tired and find someone else.”
Vienna shook her head. “That isn’t altogether true. Bruce made it plain that Zahra was to be left alone. Sam backed him up. That happened every time Bale got drunk at the Grill and got out of line with her. You haven’t let us talk to Sam. He’d put a stop to it.”
Shabina sighed and rubbed her temples. She had the beginnings of a headache just thinking about dealing with Bale. “I guess the bottom line is, I’ve dealt with so much worse, putting up with him seems easy in comparison.”
“You shouldn’t have to put up with any harassment, Shabina,” Vienna insisted. “No one has the right to treat you that way.”
“Certainly not in your place of business,” Raine agreed. “I can’t imagine what Rainier would do if he heard Bale or anyone else talking to you like that.”
Shabina’s heart felt as if it skipped a beat. She pressed her palm over her chest. “Why would you even think that? Rainier checks on my security. So far, everything has been fine.”
“Is that the only thing he checks on?” Raine asked.
Sometimes Raine talked in a code Shabina didn’t understand. Maybe the other women did. She’d missed out on having girlfriends growing up, and she didn’t always catch the innuendos the other women seemed to find humorous.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she admitted freely. “If you want to clue me in, now is the time.”
“I think Rainier checks up on you quite often because you’re very special to him,” Raine explained. “In fact, I’m quite certain of it.”
Shabina might wish that were the truth, but she knew better. “I’m an obligation. His responsibility, and trust me, Rainier always takes care of his responsibilities.”
“Well, trust me , if Rainier heard Bale talking to you the way he does, Bale would be in more trouble than he could handle,” Raine assured.
Shabina didn’t doubt that. Rainier could be a very violent man. She’d seen him explode into action. He was sent out on assignments others would never take. He always got the job done. “I think it’s better if no one talks about Bale to Rainier.”
Stella was married to Sam Rossi. Vienna was engaged to Zale Vizzini.
Both men had worked at the same agency with Rainier.
They knew him and were friends with him.
It hadn’t occurred to her that when she confided in her friends about things that disturbed her, they might tell their men, who in turn might relay those concerns to Rainier.
“I wouldn’t want anything I say to you to be repeated to Sam or Zale. It would definitely get back to Rainier.” She forced herself to look directly at Vienna. “I’d feel as if I couldn’t confide in anyone, and there are times I need to talk things over with friends.”
“I doubt that would ever need to happen unless we felt your life was in danger, Shabina,” Vienna said. “Then we would have no choice.”